Raising quail chicks is a lot of fun, and it starts with providing a safe and nurturing environment. Your brooder setup plays a crucial role in a chick’s early development until they are fully feathered and can live in regular quail housing. I’ll provide a straightforward process for setting up a brooder that ensures the chicks grow up healthy and strong.
Essential Components of a Brooder
- Brooder Box: The brooder box will serve as the chicks’ home for the first few weeks of life. You can use a plastic tote, aquarium, cardboard box, or other containers. Ensure the size is appropriate for the number of chicks, allowing enough room for movement and growth. What I use: I prefer the largest clear plastic totes I can buy and I cut out a lot of the lid and glue in window screen. A lid is necessary once they get about a week old, as they will “pop” straight up and can escape.
- Heat Source: Quail chicks need consistent warmth, especially during their first days. You can use radiant heat plates or brooder lamps. Aim for a temperature of around 95°F (35°C) for the first week and gradually reduce it by 5°F each week until the chicks are fully feathered. What I use: I only use radiant heat plates, not lamps. Lamps are just too much of a fire hazard and I would not rest easy leaving the house with a heat lamp on. I love the heat plates as well because they most closely mimic a mother bird. They also are not as intensely hot as a lamp and they produce hardier chicks who are not heat dependent at an earlier age. The temperature is not adjustable, but the leg height is, so I place them at the lowest height to start and gradually raise the height as the chicks grow.
- Bedding: Select bedding that is absorbent and minimizes odor. Rubber shelf liner or paper towels are suitable for the first few days to prevent leg problems, while pine shavings or paper shavings work well afterward. Avoid cedar shavings, which can be toxic. What I use: I use rubber shelf liner to cover the bottom of my tote for the first few days to a week. This prevents foot and leg issues because the chicks can grip the liner easily. After that I use pine shavings.
- Feed and Water Setup: Choose feeders and waterers sized for quail chicks. Use shallow water dishes and add marbles or pebbles to prevent chicks from drowning. What I use: I use a waterer sized for quail rather than chicken chicks that screws onto a mason jar. I use a regular chick feeder. See the product list for links.
- Thermometer: If you are using a heat lamp, place a thermometer in the brooder to accurately monitor temperature. Keep it at chick level for accurate readings. What I use: I do not use a thermometer as the temperature under the heat plates is pre-set. I am watchful about the ambient room temperature but I keep my house fairly cool at around 65 degrees.
Preparing the Brooder
- Setting Up the Box: Ensure proper ventilation by creating small holes in the sides or using a screened top. Lay the bedding evenly, providing a comfortable surface that isn’t too slippery.
- Installing the Heat Source: Position the heat lamp or radiant plate for even heat distribution. Lower the heat plate legs to the lowest setting. The chicks will be crouching underneath it. Test the temperature before introducing chicks if you are using a lamp to ensure a stable environment.
- Placing Feed and Water: For the first few days, I sprinkle the feed directly on the floor of the brooder so the tiny chicks can find it easily. When they are tall enough to reach, I change to feeders. Position waterers where chicks can easily reach them. I tend to place two of each because my totes are large and I want them to be able to easily locate the food and water. Prevent overcrowding by ensuring enough feeding space and use gravel or pebbles in the water to prevent drowning until the chicks are bigger. As the chicks grow, use a small board or something to place under the feeder and waterer to elevate it so they don’t fill it with shavings.
Caring for Chicks in the Brooder
- Initial Setup: Prepare your brooder at least 12 hours before your chicks hatch (or before you pick them up if you are buying chicks). Gently place chicks in the brooder under the heat source. Monitor their behavior: if they huddle together directly under the heat lamp, it’s too cold, while if they avoid it altogether, it’s too hot. With a heat plate the chicks will typically congregate under the plate until they want to eat or drink. It closely mimics how they would remain under their mother most of the time when they are small. As they get older, they will spend less time under the plate.
- Daily Care Routine: Check feed and water daily, topping them up regularly. Clean and replace bedding as needed to maintain hygiene. Observe the chicks for signs of distress or illness, addressing any issues promptly.
Troubleshooting and Tips
- Common Issues:
- Chicks clustering under heat lamp: Too cold. Adjust the lamp’s height or increase its power.
- Pasty butt: Hold the chick under warm but not hot running water or soak them in a dish to remove any hardened poop and clean off their backside. Ensure water is easily accessible and maintain proper temperature.
- Overcrowding and aggressive behavior: Make sure the brooder is spacious enough and provides multiple feeding and drinking points.
- Early deaths: I must note for you that it is very common for not all of your chicks to make it despite great care. For every fifty chicks I hatch I expect to lose probably three. It is just part of nature. If you are losing a large amount, then it is time to review your practices to see where things are going wrong but if one dies in the first few days, this is normal.
- Solutions and Preventive Measures: Gradually reduce the temperature weekly until the chicks are fully feathered. Perform regular checks and cleaning to prevent illness and stress. If chicks are too crowded, consider adding more space or creating additional brooders.
A good brooder setup is key to raising healthy quail chicks. With a carefully prepared brooder and daily care, you’ll help ensure they grow into strong, healthy adults. Remember to monitor their progress and adjust the setup as needed to create an optimal environment. If you have questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. See the product list for links to everything I use if you want a similar setup for yourself.